First time going to Trattoria Toscana an Italian restaurant tucked away in Manchester …read more I must say I had a fabulous time , our waitress was amazing she got us everything we needed and checked on us constantly and was very sweet ! The ambiance was nice and cozy , good music playing in the background , not to loud and easy to have a conversation . To start off we got the Italian meatballs which were amazing highly recommend. We also ordered the mozzarella sticks which I loved the cheese pull was perfection and nice crunch on the outside , highly recommend as well . For my entre I got the NY strip . Served with mashed potatoes and green beans and topped with mushrooms and gorgonzola ! The sides were good but I really enjoyed my steak ! It was cooked medium rare , and the gorgonzola cheese on top was perfection ! I highly enjoyed it ! For dessert I got the tiramisu which was fantastic ( small portion) but very good ! Highly recommend ! Overall 5/5 ! Good atmosphere , good service and great food ! Perfect for family gatherings , eating with friends or even a date night ! Can't wait to be back !

If you read my last review, this one is deja vous two-and-a-half years later. Trattoria Toscana is…read moreItalian on steroids. We arrived at 5:30. No reservation, but were able to be seated. Busy place for a Wednesday evening. Our server, Autumn, was efficient, pleasant, and attentive. My friend and I split rollatinis, which were very good. She also had the veal parm (her go-to meal at TT). I went for Grandma Lena's Sunday Sauce. Don't tell my doctor, but we also had four Aperol Spritzes. My first time; very refreshing. Rolls arrived w a saucer of EVOO mixed w spices. Her VP covered the plate...a very generous portion. Side of penne. My dish reminded me of my sister's best friend, Honey's Sunday sauce. A smorgasbord of different meats and other ingredients slow-cooked all afternoon. There was sausage, braised short ribs, a meatball, etc over spaghetti in a marinara sauce w a dollop of ricotta on top. Both of us took leftovers home. A couple of other things to mention. On Wednesday evening, TT features live music. On this day, it was a singer / guitar player. While she was very good, it can get loud, especially if you're seated in close proximity. Also, entrees took a bit longer to arrive. Maybe because of the crowd? Anyway, food was awesome, drinks potent. A relaxing way to spend an evening. 5 stars

I'm back! The restaurant is located on 389 Main St. in East Hartford, CT. It's been a few months…read moresince I was last here (December) which is a crime. Carmine's is a fresh from scratch kitchen that is ALWAYS open. Their appetizers, pastas, entrees and desserts combine old-world traditional Italian flavor with a modern flair for presentation, and the freshest ingredients around. Menu staples like rigatoni bolognese, fettuccine carbonara and chicken Milanese are coupled with unique recipes like chicken ala vodka and toasted almond cake. They've staffed the kitchen with a dream team of chefs and you can tell instantly! They also do parties, catering and online ordering/delivery. The restaurant is well known for its live music. There is never a cover and parking is always free. This place and produces absolutely amazing food and drinks. I have noticed quite a few menu changes. The Happy Hour menu has expanded. It's also no longer all day Monday. The main menu no longer has prices on featured drinks (although that's the tre d these days). Note that the Bar Bites menu is available open to close! The Main Menu looks the same although there is a new Wine List (that's a first here). The music is very pleasant and the right volume level. It's always a big cool in here too. For my first drink, I'm having a Pratt N Whiskey. This is made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, sweet vermouth, red wine and sour mix. It's definitely an unusual drink. It's not garnished, but it tastes great. The wine sticks out for sure. It's clearly a shaken drink not often found with a whiskey component except for maybe Whiskey Sours. For my first item, I'm having the House Salad made with spring mix, basil, tomatoes, julienned (thinly sliced) carrots, cucumbers and house red wine vinaigrette dressing. This is a big portion! I love this dressing! This tastes great! For my next item, I'm trying the Carmine's Secret Tenderloins. These are off of Carmine's "Secret Menu." They are pan seared, caramelized chicken tenderloins, made with wine, olive oil, cracked black pepper (dried black peppercorns broken into coarse, uneven pieces), kosher salt (a coarse, flaky salt named for its use in the Jewish koshering process of drawing blood from meat), shredded Parmesan and a very special "secret sauce." I'm curious as to what this sauce tastes like. Wow! Nice presentation! These are good! I love that sauce! There's a good crowd in here (20 people). Only one worker (bartender and server). She's damn good at what she does! For my next drink, I'm having a Connecticut Cosmo. This is made with Litchfield Vodka, Wild Moon Cranberry, Triple Sec and lime juice. This vodka is the Gold Medal Winner 2018 & 2019 at the New York International Spirits Competition. Silver Medal Winner at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition!Our Gluten-Free Batchers' Vodka is distilled from luscious corn grown during the beautiful summer months in Somers, CT. We distill 4 ¾ times and use a gravity-fed charcoal filter that takes 12 hours to filter 100 gallons. The longer the vodka sits on the charcoal, the more impurities are removed, which creates an incredibly smooth taste. Bottled at 80 proof. It is impeccably clean, slightly sweet, velvety smooth mouthfeel and sweet buttery overtones. It's smooth with a warm finish with subtle notes of sweet ripe corn at the end. I actually sat down next to the owner of the Distillery at a wine pairing dinner at Flemings in West Hartford about 7-8 years ago. This looks nice! Wow! This has great flavor! For my next item, I'm having the Rigatoni Matinara. Rigatoni is a large, tube-shaped pasta with ridges on the outside and straight-cut ends. Marinara sauce is a tomato sauce usually made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions. I don't eat pasta all that often. This will serve as my appetizer before I hit the main course. This is a BIG portion! It is very good! For my entree I'm having the Pan Seared Salmon which is "hand cut" salmon with zesty orange glaze served over mashed potatoes with seasonal vegetables (broccoli). Add LOTS of crushed red pepper. Nod that's "LOTS." This is spicy! My kinda spicy! The plate is nice and hot! I like the presentation. This tastes great! What a great meal here!

I can't believe we were charged for bread - twice! We got a small half of a loaf (not even as big…read moreas a half grinder roll) and asked for more. Never have I ever paid for bread in a restaurant and we were asked if we wanted bread - no mention of we had to pay extra for it. Side salads are an extra charge too. If you get a chicken meal expect it to have a very charred taste to it. We found the food to be middle of the road and not very big portions considering we usually take food home from other places. There was a birthday party going on in the restaurant, not in a separate room. Not that it bothered us, but it was extremely loud in there and it seemed to bother the table next to us. Don't expect a quiet dinner in this place. Getting the attention of the waitress was impossible. I had to stand at the bar and wait to pay our bill. The party had the entrance blocked because they were filming and we had to exit through a side entrance, which didn't bother us, but not the best from a safety point of view. Do we recommend the place - no. Will we go back - no.

All in all, this was a solid meal and a place that is worth checking out. From entry, you are…read moretreated like you're entering a high priced establishment. They do a coat check and the bar area and sitting nearby is super trendy appearing with couches and well lit social gathering spots right near the front of the restaurant. They also have quieter areas on the side and back where we sat that is more peaceful if you want. The food was very good. A few things were slightly off which is why I dropped this to a 4 rather than a 5. The ricotta and honey app was solid but the bread was a bit too charred and the bang for buck on the order was a bit low for what you get. Conversely, the special zucchini flower with zucchini spaghetti was out of this world good. It was sad that you only get 1 flower in the order as it is not really able to be shared, but it is worth the taste if they have it on the menu the night you go. The main dishes were very good. The pasta tasted fresh as if homemade though both the penne and lasagne sheets were a tad thick for our tastes. However the taste was on point and I have to say that was one of the better lasagne's I've tasted in some time. The flatbread pizza was probably the biggest hit for the table. Good balance of sweet, tart and protein with the peppery arugula giving a nice touch of freshness to the dish. It is big too, plenty enough as a meal for 1 or to share between 2 if getting apps and other things. The nice thing is no issues of greasiness or feeling bloated when we finished and left. The food was filing and very tasty and this is worth a trip back. I do think the wine is a bit on the pricey end compared to many places I've seen around lately. The desert menu looked like it would be a hit for us, but we had no room after our meals. Even the kids enjoyed the food quite a bit though we did have some ala vodka left over at the end.

Back again at cafe aura in Manchester , Love the ambiance…read morevery nice modern chic , which I love . We came for a work dinner tonight so we got to try the wedge salad , which was good , fresh ingredients . The meatballs were fantastic . For my entree I got the chicken was was really good . Overall 4.5 /5 good food , good atmosphere and good service ! Will definitely be back

Food was delicious, portions were generous and my server Penelope was fantastic. prices were…read morereasonable. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back.

Once again a Penne Allan Vodka with Chianti. Newington and Manchester taste the same. Too great,…read moresilly. I look forward to next time. Perhaps at another franchisee??

Another great lunch. You can never go wrong with the pizza.A simple thin crust pepperoni was…read moreperfectly made. We shared a small and an order of mussels for a perfect lunch. My other friend loved her lime chicken salad. Much healthier choice, but we all left happy

The food and menu charging your guest $3 not to add an item on a pizza than charge $3 again for…read moreasking for a different item I guess it's all about profits and also serving french fries that are almost frozen which they are frozen to begin with. It's just sad. I'm glad I don't go there anymore.

Great classic Italian restaurant…read more The ambiance is gorgeous and intimate Our service was quick and attentive The food is classic Italian food done right. The drinks are excellent, I love their espresso martinis.

I'm back to a great Italian restaurant. It is located on 124 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury, CT in a…read morecommercial complex. The Happy Hour here is good! There's a good selection of food and quality cocktails. It's only 3PM-5PM so get here early. My sister also likes their GF pizza (with pepperoni). The pizza kitchen is an open one. The music is definite oldies in here. Disco Inferno! For my first drink, I'm having an Our Negroni made with Beefeater Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and San Pelligrino Arancitta. Pelligrino Arancitta is an unusual ingredient. Sanpellegrino Aranciata is the original sparkling orange drink from Italy. I've never seen this in a Negroni other than at here. It is served quickly, garnished nicely with an orange wheel and a rosemary leaf (also odd). What a nice touch! They are quick to drop off a complementary ice water. For my first food item, I'm having the Chopped Antipasto Salad made with to subs lettuce, provolone cheese, Genoa salami, string beans (that's new), tomatoes, chick peas (that's different) and Parmesan cheese. They use cloth napkins and metal utensils. That's always a good sign. This is a good sized portion! I remember it as being much smaller before (I could be wrong). All the ingredients are quite fresh. It tastes great! For my next food item, I'm having the Our Meatballs made with parmigiano and garlic bread crumbs (per the Happy Hour menu). These are really the MY AUNT JOSIE'S MEATBALLS (just one less) made with stracciatella, mozzarella, toasted breadcrumbs and EVOO (per the Dinner Menu). These came out quick! They are piping hot! Oh yeah! These are delicious! Sauce is great too! For my next drink, I'm having The Spicy Mango. This is made with Tanteo Jalapeño tequila and Patron Mango Citrone. I'm hoping for a fresh jalapeño garnish. Let's see if they have it. Nope! But, the bartender offered a Tajin rim. Good idea! There a good crowd in here and it's nut even 4PM yet. The bar is full including the two high tops. This tastes great! It's nicely garnished with a lime wheel and has a huge Tajin rim. It's has a little kick to it too! For my next food item, I'm having the Grilled Artichoke. This is made with crushed hazelnuts, lemon and Parmesan cheese. This is definitely a unique item you can't get anywhere else. These is good! I love the salad! Love those hazelnuts! What a unique dish! For my next food item, I'm having the Roasted Prosciutto Wrapped Dates. These are made with Gorgonzola cheese, toasted pumpkin seed and raw Brussels sprouts salad. These are great! Crunchy on the outside. I move that salad! Wow! They're playing Born to Be Alive by Patrick Hernandez. I've never heard that in a restaurant. He's a one hit wonder! For my next drink, I'm having the Venetian Martini. This is made with Absolut Citron, Aperol, Prosecco and lime juice. It's is nicely garnished and tastes great! It is strong too. You can taste the alcohol let me yell you! For my next item, I'm having the Happy Hour Cheeseburger (cooked medium) made with lettuce, tomato, provolone and a brioche bun. I'm not leaving here without it! This burger is huge! I love dill pickles and ketchup! This is delicious! For my last drink, Mercedes is making me a Mercedes Manhattan. Look at this masterpiece! A Manhattan is a classic, spirit-forward cocktail made with whiskey (traditionally rye or bourbon), sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, stirred with ice and served in a chilled glass, typically garnished with a maraschino cherry or lemon twist. It's known for its balanced, complex flavor, with rye providing spice and bourbon offering sweetness, and variations exist using different spirits or vermouths. This is absolutely perfect! It's perfect garnished with an orange peel, two maraschino cherries and a sprig of rosemary. It is perfectly balanced. There simply is no better than this. It has a hint of chocolate in it. I like the square ice cube to slow the dilution process. They just played Waterloo by ABBA. I haven't heard that in decades! I just noticed that the lights dim as the night goes on. For dessert, I'm having the Vanilla Creme Brulee with a chocolate chip cookie. Hold the phone here! This was served in UNDER ONE MINUTE! I'm told they just torch it. I'm impressed! I think that's a record! I love the confectionery sugar sprinkle! Damn! This is good! No vanilla bean on the bottom (not everyone does that). Wait! I see it. It's on the edges! This is delicious! It's a good portion for sure! The last item is a GF pepperoni pizza for my sister. This is a rare treat she gets once (or twice a year). This place is the best!

Question....if you have something listed as a pizza topping and someone asks to have that topping…read moreput on a grinder, how can you say "we can't do that" ? No reason as to why. I order the same grinder at multiple other places and no one has EVER said we can't do that. By the way...the topping is pineapple. Guess I'll just be ordering from an establishment that is accommodating. So.... after waiting an hour I got my grinder...without pineapple. It was supposed to be chicken cutlet cheese bacon and bbq sauce only! This is what I got!!

I miss you guys so much. We moved to NC 6 years ago and one food I always think about is your egg…read moreand peppers grinder. I made sure to come a few times before we left. I wish you could ship me a box. Love y'all and hope the family is well. Miss talking to you brothers.

3.5 stars. Pizza and mozzarella sticks are good. Sodas taste off brand and get bottled water. Draft…read morebeers are good. Decor is a bit outdated. Service is hit or miss depending on server and time of day. It's a bar and restaurant. There's a patio outside as well. Lots of regulars hang out here. I usually only order pizza, mozzarella sticks and drinks.

I had a hankering for a few slices of Pepe's incredible tomato pie and a nice glass of chianti…read moretoday. The wonderful staff and food sure made me feel at home.To top it off, they even gave me my lunch! Thank you so much Pepe's, Liz

Cute little spot. Great band. No cover. Bartenders weren't the friendliest, but we still had a fun…read moretime.

My favorite place to come watch games. The staff is so accommodating in making sure the TV's are…read moretuned in to the games the patrons want to see. Food is amazing, especially the buff chic dip and Cobb salad. Jessica and Alexis always give such attentive service. They make sure the night is filled with fun vibes. Perfect pours as well.

Stopped in for lunch and was seated immediately so that we could have our favorite waitress,…read moreLouise. Louise arrived once we were seated and took our drink orders and was very good on ensuring the drinks were exactly what was needed. We ordered their soup of the day, beef vegetable, pasta with butter, house side salad, and large meat lovers pizza. The soup had plenty of beef chunks in it along with some nice vegetables in a great broth. The pasta was cooked perfectly and had plenty of butter with it. As always the side salad was good sized with green peppers, cucumbers, carrots, (left out the tomatoes as requested) and then plenty of blue cheese dressing. The pizza came piping hot and heavily loaded with sausage, bacon, pepperoni, and hamburger and the right amount of cheese. This is what gives them the 5 star rating as the pizza was one of the best that I've had in a long time. The flavor of all the meats and the quantity was amazing and definitely will be another one that will be chosen in the future. The restaurant has recently had a makeover and has a very comfortable seating combination of individual tables and booths. And, as always, the restaurant was decorated for the latest holiday, in this case Easter, and looks very festive.

Georgina's Restaurant is in Bolton Conn. It is located at…read morethe Eastern end of 1-384, a branch off 1-84 that goes through Manchester Connecticut for a few exits. This was my 1st time here as I was here for a special occasion and they had the buffet. There was a great selection of foods to choose from and a great way to try out their delicious food. I personally loved the eggplant Parmesan over the chicken Parmesan. The chicken was sliced a little too thin and thought it was a little on the dry side. Also there were carrots on the buffet line that were very delicious the way they were prepared.